Echo & Rig — Restaurant in Las Vegas

TLDR: Happy Hour here is amazing, but they only serve the Happy Hour selections at the bar and you have to close your tab before going to a seat in the dining room. Cocktails are made well. I really enjoyed the Blanton that was recommended as being on special. The steaks were cooked well and tasty, but the accompanying sides and sauces received mixed reviews. Likewise, the small plates ordered were hit and miss. Overall we really enjoyed our dinner here, but we didn’t leave instantly planning a second visit.

Recommend reservations, the dining room at 5:15 was easily ½ full and filled up completely while our party of 8 was there having dinner. Before my full party arrived, I checked out Happy Hour at the bar. All but one seat in the bar area was taken, and if you look at the happy hour menu, you will see why. Excellent price on drinks and a couple of little bites that can give you a taste of the steaks on hand. The cocktails rotate every day, but tonight’s Blueberry Spritz was light and well balanced. In particular, the bartender David deserves laudation for his customer service. He controlled the Bar area, was good at greeting customers and managing orders; I really appreciated his service tonight. If you need a little treat after a hard day, hitting up this Happy Hour is a home run.

Dinner service was also very well done. The pace of the meal, attention from our waiter, busser, and manager were all excellent. Unfortunately, not everyone came away from the dinner loving every dish. No one was super unhappy, but we felt at this price point that some of the dishes should have been better. Loved the Iberico Pork Secreto, the Pineapple Jalapeno Jam was an excellent complement, and the pea tendrils served on the side might have been the best I have ever had. However, the Colorado Lamb Porterhouse Chops were not liked, maybe we got unlucky and were served particularly fatty chops, but this entrée left us a bit disappointed. Ribeye steak sandwich was a big winner at the table. Well-balanced dish, refreshing spinach with a bit of sweetness from the Béarnaise Aioli, even the bread received a “this is nice” comment, but the chips served with the plate were a huge letdown. The thin cut garlic chips served with all the entrees “From the Butcher”. Our table found that some were burnt, some were folded over and not crisp, and all of them seemed to be lacking the garlic and salt that we would normally expect. Looking at reviews after the fact it seems like sometimes these are a highlight on the plate, so clearly there are some consistency issues with this item. The sauces also received mixed reviews from the table. The Chimichurri felt like it was a vat of oil with only a few herbs instead of a vibrant green sauce that punched up the flavor. But on the bright side, the Bearnaise was well received, and everyone that ordered a steak (Spencer, Sirloin, Hanger, and Strip) all thought they were cooked to order very well and tasted great. For our sides: the roasted Mashed Potatoes were bland, none of the white cheddar flavor came through, carrots were just short of being too roasted and while fine, didn’t seem to get highlighted by the Sorrel cream the way we would have hoped, Mac & Cheese was great, Pork Belly Burnt Ends were sweet but well reviewed by the table, the Portobello Fries had mixed opinions. Although everyone liked the Herb Aioli, the fries are served upright in a cup, which causes the last few on the bottom to be a little mushier. They weren’t a uniform size, so while all of them had a nice fry to them some were just a bit imbalanced compared to others. Overall, it was a nice evening out for the group, and we came away full and happy but weren’t blown away. I will say that based on how well the steaks were cooked, next time we will probably order family style off menu and try one of their offered Butcher cuts. Or we will just go for Happy Hour and all order the Ribeye...

I never met a Rib-Eye I didn't like. Although I suspect the opposite may be true for the Rib-Eyes.

I have, however, had some rather unsavory characters come between me and my Rib-Eye and I don't like it (more on that later).

I have said this many time before, sometimes it takes a few visits before one can get a good feel for a place. Of course, the opposite is also true and those places typically get what they deserve.

When it cam to Echo & Rig, I was determined to take the time needed to formulate an honest and straightforward review. Which is why it has been several months and several visits before I sat down to write this.

The breakdown:

The happy-hour: is amazing. Plenty of people have already exalted it's greatness, so I feel I have nothing to add on the subject.

The butcher shop: is rather spendy, considering they will cook the darn thing for you for nearly the same price. Still, as Vegas is desperately lacking in good butcher shops, I am delighted to pay a few bucks more to save the trip to the other side of town. Plus the quality of meat is pretty good. Oh hell, it's worth it.

The bar: is a friendly enough place and the bartenders are usually very attentive. I like that you can order dinner there, sometimes a guy doesn't want to sit at a table all alone. I am very disappointed in the selection of tap beers. There are way too many of what I would consider very hoppy brews. Despite everything Mr. Koch from Sam Adams would like you to believe, the whole world is not mad about hops. How about a nice amber lager? And what's up with all the "goofy" beers, aren't those better suited for bottles?

The restaurant: is very open, which is not always my style, but the patio is always good place if there's room available. The decor is simple, but well lit, which is great because some of us like to see what we're eating.

The food: is excellent. Echo & Rig care about the quality of the meats and it shows. There have been a couple of occasions where the kitchen completely mucked up the beautiful relationship I share with my Rib-Eye (one-sided though it may be). If you're a steakhouse, getting steak prepared correctly is crucial. Do you really need me to explain to you Pittsburgh Blue?

The staff: is sometimes great and sometimes disappointing. I don't know if there is a pattern to figuring it out, but I hope they do soon. There is a lot of standing around and talking going on. I would think some of the other reviews on Yelp would have alerted the staff to the need for better attention to the customer.

The price point: is the real winner at this place. These steaks would cost you twice as much down on the strip, even the other steak house close by (Flem-something or other) charges one and half times the price for a lower quality cut.

I think this place can honestly make headway toward a 5 star rating, and in fact there have been occasions when it has, but there are still times when it falls short.

Until then, I will continue to make regular visits to Echo & Rig. Maybe they let me step back in the kitchen and teach them how to make it...

When one steps into Echo & Rig Steakhouse in Las Vegas, they are transported to a world of culinary enchantment. Under Chef Sam Marvin's masterful guidance, this establishment redefines the classic steakhouse with a modern and delightful perspective, showcasing an unparalleled commitment to excellence.

One cannot help but marvel at the meticulous sourcing of ingredients. Echo & Rig traverses the globe from Tasmania to Colorado to quest for the finest-quality beef and other components. This dedication to quality resonates in every dish, promising a gastronomic adventure that is truly extraordinary.

Among the myriad delights, The Sweet Fire Cauliflower, for instance, is a culinary masterpiece that combines the cauliflower's sweetness with the chili flakes' heat, creating a unique flavor explosion. The combination of Shrimp & Artichokes, featuring Jumbo Shrimp, Artichoke Hearts, White Wine, Lemon, and Capers, is a harmonious blend of freshness and sophistication. The Wood Fired Octopus, adorned with Celery Leaves and Castelvetranos, is a testament to the culinary artistry at Echo & Rig.

The Caesar Salad, crafted with Romaine Hearts, Reggiano Parmesan, Herbed Croutons, and Classic Caesar Dressing, is a refreshing interlude that prepares the palate for the star of the night—the Ribeye Cap. Sourced from Creekstone, this All-Natural cut is proclaimed "The Absolute Best Part of The Rib Eye," it lives up to its billing as the centerpiece of an exceptional dining experience. Cooked to perfection, with a crispy-seared exterior and a juicy, tender interior, it is a true masterpiece of steakhouse cuisine.

But what sets Echo & Rig apart from other steakhouses is not just the quality of the food but also the commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience at affordable prices. In a city known for overpriced restaurants, Echo & Rig stands out as a beacon of value, offering a luxurious culinary adventure that won't break the bank.

Echo & Rig Steakhouse is a gastronomic haven that transcends the ordinary. It offers an enchanting symphony of flavors, impeccable sourcing, and a commitment to affordability that sets it apart as a true gem in the Las Vegas dining scene. A visit to Echo & Rig is not merely a meal; it is an odyssey of culinary delight that lingers in the memory long after...